Using Chalk Paint® to Paint Your Couch or Wing Back Chair (Fabric or Leather)

Posted on 04/08/2014 by Tricia

Not in love with your furniture any more?

Instead of tossing it and buying new right away- consider painting it using Chalk Paint® decorative paint by Annie Sloan. Some important things to keep in mind if taking this journey:

Natural fiber materials will always take the paint better and be the most successful.
It is always easiest painting a lighter color fabric to make it a darker color
Annie’s dome top brushes are wonderful to use when painting fabric. They come in a small, medium and large. My favorite is the small where the bristles plump up to about 2.5 inches once loaded with paint. The bigger the brush head, the heavier it will be in your hand when fully loaded with paint.
If you apply Chalk Paint® to fabric, it will look “chalky” till you apply Annie’s Clear Wax
Water will be your friend when painting fabric. And find a good textile medium at your local craft store. Do not use Chalk Paint® straight out of the tin without these. Some people will use just water, but others feel that the key is using textile medium, water, and paint in equals parts and pre moisten the fabric.. If just using water, dilute your Chalk Paint with water until it becomes like the consistency of thin milk (this is a must when painting directly on to fabric – the paint needs to absorb in to the fiber). Remember – you are dying the fabric not saturating the cushion and the stuffing inside.
Some people will lightly sand the dried Chalk Paint® after you have a couple of coats built to a solid base. Try using 600 grit sandpaper lightly over it, it should give the finished surface a soft feeling. like a canvas.
Watch Annie’s VIDEO HERE

Kathy Cooley of NY did the wingback chair below using Capri Pink Chalk Paint.

Love that blue couch above — Studio 184’s customer – Joan Thompson painted her sofa and matching chair with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint® in a custom mix. She said, “I wanted a “bright Navy”, not too dark, just the right color of blue and so far it has been super durable.”

Melinda Silverhale loves Oxford Navy Chalk Paint® by Annie Sloan. She added a pop of color to her barstools shown above to offset the natural wood in her home by mixing Oxford Navy in a 5:1 ratio with Chicago Grey and painting the microsuede seats of her bar stools. She sealed the bar stools using Annie’s Clear Wax

It does NOT matter if the material of the furniture is:

fabric…velvet, brocade, leather or vinyl. Chalk Paint® will transform it…resurrect it…..and make you re-love it!

Keep in mind however, painting fabric will change the feel of it. Since you are not dyeing the fabric- it will have a stiffer, firmer feel.

TIP #1. Painting “natural” fabrics works best. Synthetics or synthetic blends, will not absorb the paint as well, and the paint will basically sit on top of the fibres. It is always very important to test the paint on upholstered furniture before tackling a large project.

TIP #2. Using Annie’s brushes with the bigger head is ideal to get paint into all of the nooks and crannies of the textured material, fabric or suede. Here is a link to my favorite Annie Sloan brush.

So, although many, many people have done this. Do a test spot in an inconspicuous spot and feel it before painting the whole thing! For any project, we would recommend testing in a small area first before you commit to painting the whole piece. As a general rule, we don’t recommend painting very cushioned sofas that have lots of folds to the fabric or items that get very heavy use. This is an unconventional use for the paint- so don’t be afraid to experiment with different techniques either – applying the paint more thickly will change the composition of the fabric, making it stiffer. This can then be waxed and buffed to create a leather effect. In most cases, you will see better results where you are going from light fabric to a darker color with paint versus if you are trying to go from dark fabric with a light colored paint. And just a disclaimer…..it’s completely fine for people to experiment and try things that are more ambitious! In my experience, the people who are most successful at these sort of projects are those who are experienced in using Chalk Paint® and who understand the kind of results they can expect from using it in an unconventional way.

Chalk Paint® is absolutely amazing in all it can do and when it comes to painting furniture- which when it is fabric furniture, it is similar to dying it. The Purple Painted Lady has done this herself and has had so many customers do this also. In fact, one customer of ours, Teresa at Lou’s Back Door Consignment in Fairport, NY had an old style couch. You know the kind with the ruffle pleat that goes all the way around the whole base. She painted it- and cannot stop raving about it!!! (Check out her Facebook page by clicking on the business name above and consider giving it a LIKE)

Please see examples below and read the step by step suggested way to approach painting your fabric furniture, but here is one of my favorite HOW TO videos that you should watch of Annie Sloan stepping you through this process!

Keep in mind that if the fabric on your furniture has a heavy textured pattern, Chalk Paint® will change the color of the fabric, but it won’t hide the pattern.

YES………You can paint old worn out leather too!! Look what Stacey Denniston from Palmyra, NY did!

Primer Red CHALK PAINT and clear wax by Annie Sloan transformed this tired leather chair into a fresh piece for Stacey Denniston’s home. Stacey said she loves the feel because it’s just like leather. You can do this too!

Check out this beautiful transformation by Erin at The French Marketplace. In order to get the stripes nice and crisp, she used “Frog Tape.” She finds that it works really well to achieve a nice, crisp line with no bleed through. Also, she made sure to burnish the tape really well to ensure good adhesion. When she came to the cording, she was careful to make sure that the tape was tucked completely around the cording securely. And that was it!

Or try something fun like the famous Janet Metzger from The Empty Nest did. She used Honfleur Chalk Paint® all over this mauve colored wing back chair than embellished it using Antoinette, Old White, and a bunch of other colors in the Annie Sloan suite!

Nice Before & After, huh?

Here is another by Lizzie White Vintage Chic! If you stop by their Facebook page- tell them The Purple Painted Lady sent you. : )

HOW MUCH PAINT WILL I NEED?

When calculating paint needs- keep in mind that painting fabric is very different than painting a hard surface. Fabric will absorb the paint more. (much more!) You will use more paint covering fabric that will absorb and suck up the paint, compared to painting a wood dresser. You will most likely need to apply two full coats – even a possible- third in specific areas pending the color you chose or if you are covering red fabric with a light color Chalk Paint®.

CAN I SAND THE CHALK PAINT® ONCE PAINTED ON MY COUCH?

Yes! Use 300 grit sandpaper after you have applied a couple coats and lightly polish the paint. It will soften it dramatically- but NOTE it will create dust. So, wipe that off with a towel before applying your clear wax. Also- stay away from edges or corners since it is an angle- you could break through the paint and show the real fabric beneath.

LAYING THE KNAP IN YOUR FINISHING STROKE:

When painting velvet that has a heavy texture, make sure to lay the knap in the direction you want it to be once dry with your paint brush in your final, finishing stroke. Meaning, when initially painting, you may approach the fabric surface from different directions with your brush….but before moving on to a new area to paint…with your paint brush…stroke the surface so the knap lays consistently and smoothly in the same direction.

PAINTING LEATHER?:

Make sure to read this post HERE after this one!

Perfectly imperfect/Hollywood Regency Glam? My customer, Maria Antonieta wanted to change a dark – traditional leather & wood chair into “Hollywood Regency Glam.” She used Chalk Paint® by Annie Sloan in Pure White and Silver French Gilding Wax. Maria wrote me, “A lot of work, the leather cracked a little (not perfect as all the blogs I read online) no matter the paint, technique,etc)

Maria wrote, “The chalk paint is a good paint but not as perfect finished as expected. (on leather) Good enough. But the gilding was the magic. LOVE IT….Love the effect !”

Why am I sharing this?

Because this is Maria’s true outcome. Often Chalk Paint® works perfectly and beautifully. And although Maria had a little crazing- this chair was transformed to blend with her style versus having to buy a new one. What do you think?

SOMETHING TO CONSIDER WHEN PAINTING FABRIC OR LEATHER THOUGH!

Chalk Paint® is quite amazing, but it is not a miracle. The whole painting of fabric furniture is something that evolved with using Chalk Paint® by customers choosing to try it. It was not originally promoted to do this – and truly – although it does transform and extend the life of a piece of furniture….it may not always by successful. Personally, I have found that Chalk Paint® does not have the elasticity ability to be pinched or creased because it causes it will crack.

DID YOU PAINT LEATHER TOO THICK AND IT CRACKLED?

If you did not thin your paint at all – or enough, you may end up with a crackled look. This may help you. Try sanding the paint softly with some 300 or 400 grit sandpaper. In this step- make sure to be careful not to sand the edges or corners since you may break through to the actual leather. Again- stay away from the edges so you do not accidentally get a distressed look by wearing thru the paint.

And lastly, if interested in purchasing product on-line- check out our on-line store HERE after reading this post. We offer awesome customer service and the lowest flat rate shipping and…(drum roll please!) …… we ship the same day you place your order! (small print disclaimer – we ship same day as long as your order is placed before our UPS guy has come) But if you visit our FACEBOOK PAGE and look at our customer reviews- I think you will get the hint that we are super fast in turning your order around and we really care about our customers!

Now..after stirring up all of this excitement I need to share…..that Chalk Paint® is amazing- but it is not a miracle…so always do a test in an inconspicuous location if you are hesitant. What do I mean by this? I certainly do not want to burst the bubble, but I often share with my customers that some people “use” their furniture and then,..there are some who “abuse” their furniture. If you have four 120 pound Great Danes who like to play and jump on the furniture coming straight in from outside with muddy paws…this painting technique will work, but I would not guarantee it for years of use. Ok? For the majority of us who sit on our furniture and watch TV, take naps, read stories to our kids and yes, have pets- …you will love this as an alternative option.

APPLYING WAX TO LEATHER:

After the paint on your leather has been dry for about 24 hours, then wax. (this extra time allows your paint to really set up, adhere and cure)

To apply the wax, we used a lint free cotton rag instead of a wax brush. The leather is soft and subtle and we found using a rag to be best, but you may have a different opinion- and that is fine. Go with what works for you.

Basically- we gently rubbed the wax around and in and then stopped when it felt smooth and almost dry to the touch. Can you see in the photo above how the wax makes the painted leather a little darker? It does NOT change the color but intensifies it.

This was a super easy process and the wax sealed the paint and made it feel like the most luxurious leather coat you have ever felt.

If you apply too much wax and need to remove the excess, just take a fresh, clean, lint free rag and gently wipe off the excess.

Keep in mind- on leather- you can tint your Chalk Paint® Wax using Annie’s paint. This can add a cool look, like Melinda did with this leather chair that she painted in Oxford Navy Chalk Paint®.

Be gentle when rubbing near the seems , corners or edges so that your removing of the wax does not act like a “wet distress” where you remove the paint. It is normal to get some color transfer on your rag that you are applying your wax with, so do not panic when that happens.

To paint your furniture- follow these steps:

1. If painting a chair or couch, you will need:

PROJECT LIST:

* Drop cloth
* Chalk Paint® decorative paint in the color of your choice! Depending on your project- you may need more than a sample pot- but you will NOT use a whole quart.
* A natural bristle paint brush …either one of these will work PURDY or Annie’s SMALL Brush But Annie’s brush is the absolute best for this application.
* Annie’s Clear Wax

2. Make sure to have a plastic drop cloth beneath your furniture.

CLEAN YOUR FABRIC. Dust it off or vacuum it.

3. It is important that immediately prior to painting the fabric- that you get a spritz bottle (like an old Windex bottle.) Fill it with water and lightly mist your fabric. You want the fabric to be moisten and definitely damp- but not dripping wet.

4. I strongly recommend using Annie’s SMALL paint brush when painting fabric! It will make your project so much easier, versus using a traditional flat/straight cut brush.

5. Thin your Chalk Paint® with water. So, whatever color Chalk Paint® you are using…you can either:

A. Pour some in a separate container and thin it slightly with water. I would consider starting by adding about 20% water to whatever amount you have. (YOU MAY NEED TO ADD MORE WATER!) You do not want it soupy- but thinned enough that when it dries, it is not too thick and crusty) If you do not thin your Chalk Paint®- due to it being a thicker paint- it may crackle. This does NOT jeopardize the adhesion ability of the paint and actually gives the look of leather or crocodile skin. Many of my customers love a chair that I did in my shop over two years ago like this!

B. Have a plastic cup filled with about a 1/4 cup of water. Dip your paint brush into your paint, then quickly dip the tips of your brush into the water. Then paint! Make sure to position your paint and water close to your project- so you do not drip any on the floor.

(I prefer option A)

6. Begin painting your fabric. Apply a uniform thin coat and let it fully dry. Try applying the paint using your brush in a circular motion if painting a tweed. If painting a leather- you have options.

STAINS ON FABRIC?

A customer had bleed through on a painted chair cushion. She ended up using Kilz Oil Based Stain Blocker in the spray can. She said it worked great!

A. SMOOTH FINISH: Want a smoother finish- paint in traditional linear strokes. And lay your paint in the direction you want it to look before moving on to a new section.
OR
B. Try experimenting on a sample board prior to taking on your big leather couch and try laying Chalk Paint® in random directions. In many of Annie’s awesome videos on YouTube- you will see her painting like this. It is brilliant and creates a very nice finish. You can either be more subtle with this technique- or be bold.

You will most likely want to paint a second coat depending on how it looks. If you need to mix more paint with water- you do not need to thin it quite as much.

7. Once everything is totally dry- and you are happy with the coverage- apply a thin coat of clear wax using a rag. This helps in keeping the fabric soft and subtle and protects it. Some people do not add the wax- but I think it is nice and again, it seals the fabric almost like a Scotch Guard protector. Again- I personally recommend waxing, but you may want to watch THIS funny video of a gentleman named Perry doing the “wiggle test” on a chair painted using Chalk Paint® that has not been waxed. If you watch the video, leave a note that The Purple Painted Lady sent you.

USING CHALK PAINT FOR CAR or TRUCK RESTORATION:

We have a friend named Jeff who does wood carvings at our festival ( Critters 3D ) is his business name. I don’t know all the background info but he came to shop asking if Chalk Paint® by Annie Sloan could be used on leather or vinyl. From personal experience, I told him YES!

Just thin your paint a little with warm water and paint. Apply the Chalk Paint® in uniform, thin coats and let dry thoroughly before applying a second coat. Once all done painting and it looks great, then you can apply a thin coat of Annie’s Chalk Paint Wax to seal the paint. Wipe off the excess – and do a second coat later. This will seal, protect and make the surface feel reeeaaallll nice!

So, Jeff got some Athenian Black and changed the color of the arm rest from beige to black. Now we need to convince Jeff to paint all of the inside of the door.

#chalkpaint #anniesloaninstagram #chalkpaint1969ford #thepurplepaintedlady

Sill unsure of about painting your furniture, check out Annie Sloan herself painting a chair on national television HERE.

DURABILITY:
I have customers who have painted their furniture who also have dogs that get on their furniture and teenagers! They have been extremely satisfied in the longevity and how the paint can withstand the use. With that said, I think it is important to say- it is important that your pets nails be clipped and not be daggers. I also would not guarantee the outcome if you have little ones who use your couch as a trampoline. I always share that Chalk Paint® is incredible, but it is not a miracle. : )

If you have painted your furniture- please feel free to share your photos on my Facebook page! OR- email them to me at takuntz AT rochester.rr.com. (AT – @)

And remember ~if interested in purchasing Annie Sloan products, please visit our website if interested in ordering Chalk Paint®. We have Chalk Paint® available for the lowest price we are permitted to sell it for, we offer low/flat rate shipping and it always ships same day (as long as our UPS guy has not come already!)

In fact- there are many reasons we think buying through us is the best. Read THIS little post about what sets The Purple Painted Lady apart from the rest.

To visit our on-line store- click HERE.

Lastly, we share a lot more information to help you get the most functionality out of your Chalk Paint® on our Facebook page. Consider checking it out by clicking HERE. While there- kindly consider LIKING us.

If you are interested in staying touch with The Purple Painted Lady- visit our Facebook page HERE – we would LOVE to hear from you and see your before & after photos!

BUY PRODUCT FROM THE PURPLE PAINTED LADY™:

As for buying any of the products we mentioned earlier in this post- I hope that you select The Purple Painted Lady™ to be your one stop resource! We have four locations in western NY. Check out our Information tab and come and meet us! Otherwise- if you are not located near me- the following information may apply to you. This information is directed to those who do NOT have a local stockist. Because if you do – go and meet them, shop from them and build a relationship with them. The guidance, information and knowledge they share with you – will be invaluable. But, if you are in a location where there is no one selling paint products- and you must buy on-line- consider us. With that said, visit www.anniesloan.com to find a stockist near you.

We are here to help you, our customers! We want you to be successful! And, just so you know, when you place an order with The Purple Painted Lady:

SOME OF THE REASONS OUR CUSTOMER SERVICE IS THE BEST:

* We sell Chalk Paint® at the lowest price we are permitted to

* If you order before 3 pm EASTERN TIME any day Monday thru Friday – we will ship out your package that SAME day.

* We ship orders out every since week day all over the US.

* We offer the lowest flat rate UPS shipping cost so if you are one town away or 10 states away- the shipping cost is the same.

* We have awesome follow up customer service, too!

And- it is my paint sales that keep me in business and allow me to be here to help you. (my shameless but honest plug) Here is a link to our on-line shop=> http://shop.thepurplepaintedlady.com/

: ) And I will be here to help you as you progress through your future project! And if I do say so myself- we offer the BEST customer service that you will ever experience!Lastly- if I was helpful to you- ….please consider leaving a positive review on my Facebook business page sharing your positive experience or thoughts about The Purple Painted Lady. Here is a link to my Facebook page=> http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Purple-Painted-Lady/291882785710 This really helps me! (wink, wink!)
XO

Trish

The Purple Painted Lady™ ~ the serial no. is 86/641,416 with the US Trademark Office

VISIT us…..

our MAIN STORE at 2620 NY 31 Palmyra NY 14522

3200 West Ridge Road in Rochester, NY 14626 (The Shops On West Ridge)

Painting A Linoleum Floor and …..

Posted on 04/06/2014 by Tricia

Painting Stairs, Floors, and Linoleum with Chalk Paint®.

When it comes to linoleum, although some of you have the awesome ability to tear tile out and gut a bath, there are many of us – who sadly, are just not as talented as you. That- or some of us- just want a quick fix to change the look of what we have till maybe we budget for someone else to come an do the job, correctly.

An example of changing the look of something you have in your home via an untraditional way- is painting it. Specifically, paining old linoleum flooring.

The Purple Painted Lady was impress by the amazing job Cindy did!

Here is what she shared, “First, I cleaned the floor well with non-phosphate TSP but I have since heard it can take up to days to completely dry but that’s usually with furniture. (Some now some are using Simple Green.)

Most important, The Purple Painted Lady wants to add regarding cleaning: **Make sure to thoroughly rinse the floor after cleaning with any product though! Any residual cleaning agent will cause the paint to NOT adhere.

Next, Cindy put on 1 coat of the Old White straight from the quart. I recommend giving this first coat 24 hours to really set up before doing your next step.

Then she mixed 1 part Old White to 3 parts Coco for the stenciling project. She purchased a spray adhesive specifically for stencils, I think off Amazon. (she sprayed it on stencil outside; so it was easy to lift up and move to another area without leaving any residue and could move several times before having to spray again.)

She then put on 2 coats of Annie Sloan’s Lacquer (non-yellowing). It is important to always use 2 thin coats and apply with a foam/ sponge roller.

Annie’s Lacquer is meant for high traffic areas and is water repellant, but not water proof. That means if you have water sitting on it for long periods of time, it can effect it. Annie Sloan Lacquer is a clear matte water based varnish for painted floors or heavily used furniture items, particularly for those painted with Chalk Paint® decorative paint by Annie Sloan (as in Cindy’s case). It is a strong penetrating Lacquer meant to be used over wood or concrete floors painted with Chalk Paint® that are interior floors only. This Lacquer is NOT intended to be used outside. Again, this is for INSIDE use only. Note- this is not recommended for outdoor use.

Whether the paint is applied as a wash or applied solidly with a foam roller, this robust Lacquer will seal it perfectly. It dries quickly – but allow your floor or furniture piece to cure overnight. It will slightly darken the color beneath it with a matte finish that has a slight sheen to give it strength.

Often customers will state after the first coat they see some slight lines in the Lacquer if using a roller, but after the second coat is applied- it looks wonderful. (just sharing this so you do not panic)

There is no need to sand in between either! The Lacquer will slightly darken the paint beneath it. Something to keep in mind…is that Graphite (and dark Chalk Paint® colors) are notorious tattle talers! Meaning if the Lacquer is too thick- it will appear to be streaky or cloudy. It is the flattening agents in the Lacquer that give it its matte sheen create a cloudy or milky effect when the Lacquer is applied too thickly and this is more noticeable over darker colors. I hate to write this- but often repainting and then thinner layers of Lacquer applied with a sponge roller or brush is the correction. So, since you are reading this- I would hope that you would not apply it too thick.

Applying Lacquer:

Some people will sometimes take a wide sponge brush or bristle brush to even out the rolled out Lacquer immediately after rolling it – as so to make sure it is thinned enough. Also- it is important – to make sure that the Lacquer was incorporated well before using it. Again- this is done either by stirring- or- tipping it upside down and rolling the container in your hands.

The varnish is quick drying, non-toxic, low odor, and non-yellowing. The Lacquer will give you a very durable scuff resistant finish. Note though, it is not recommended in areas where there will be a lot of water. Annie’s Lacquer is ring resistant- meaning it can tolerate hot cups. It is also resistant to alcohol spills, which if using wax as a top coat- is not.

The liter will cover approximately 107 square feet (depending on how porous the surface and how thickly the Lacquer is applied.) Two coats are recommended for areas of high traffic (never substitute one thick coat if in a hurry- it will not dry uniformly and you will just have issues- this rule applies to paint and for that matter – ANY product on the market!) I applied it on the top of a heavily used dresser and it was dry to the touch within minutes!

DIRECTIONS:

Add about 10% water into the first coat.

Let dry 2 hours and recoat with full strength Lacquer (still a thin coat).

Let dry overnight.

Moving Furniture Over A Floor With Lacquer:

Lacquer dries quickly – but again, allow your floor or furniture piece to cure overnight. It will slightly darken the color beneath it with a matte finish that has a slight sheen to give it strength. If using on your floor, do not start “dragging” pieces of furniture across it. In fact, for a period of time- have someone help you and lift and carry pieces to place them.

Often customers will state after the first coat they see some slight lines in the Lacquer if using a roller, but after the second coat is applied- it looks wonderful. (just sharing this so you do not panic) No need to sand in between either!

Cannot stress this enough…..Something to understand when using Lacquer is that it does not want to be back stroked.

Confident strokes in one direction for an even sheen is extremely important because varnishes do not like to be back brushed. This can cause flashing…meaning an uneven finish.

The Lacquer will slightly darken the paint beneath it. Something to keep in mind…is that Graphite (and dark Chalk Paint® colors) are notorious tattle talers! Meaning if the Lacquer is too thick- it will appear to be streaky or cloudy. The flattening agents in the Lacquer that give it its matte sheen create a cloudy or milky effect when the Lacquer is applied too thickly and this is more noticeable over darker colors. I hate to write this- but often repainting and then thinner layers of Lacquer applied with a sponge roller or brush is the correction. So, since you are reading this- I would hope that you would not apply it too thick!

Some people will sometimes take a wide sponge brush or bristle brush to even out the rolled out Lacquer immediately after rolling it – as so to make sure it is thinned enough. Keep in mind the comment above about stroking it too much! Also- it is important – to make sure that the Lacquer was incorporated well before using it. Again- this is done either by stirring- or- tipping it upside down and rolling the container in your hands.

If the floors are oak or some other sort of open grain wood- note that in the drying action of the Lacquer- it could pull up tannins through the new paint layers. Annie Sloan Lacquer is a penetrating varnish, meaning that it gets its strength by penetrating through the paint layers and attaching itself to the substrate. As it dries, the water in the varnish evaporates and the remaining materials shrink or pull tight to the surface, again another reason for its great strength.

However, the varnish pulls from both directions (think about how clothes shrink- in all directions) and this action can pull the tannins up if they have not been sealed with shellac prior to painting.

The same problem would occur if the floors had been previously stained with a non-colorfast stain. The only solution is to shellac, repaint, and reseal.

NOTE- Lacquer does NOT adhere over oil-based products.

Annie Sloan Lacquer dries to a matte sheen with just a hint of shine for durability … it is not glossy. Annie Sloan Lacquer can also be sprayed, but most apply with a sponge roller or a “bouncy” bristle brush.

Again, with most spray systems it will most likely need to be diluted with some water. My experience with working with the Lacquer has shown that the sheen level diminishes a bit with the addition of water … the more water added the more matte it becomes. With either product, try not to exceed adding more than 20% water.

**** If you brush it on – have confident strokes- since Lacquer does not like being over played with.

How To Use Lacquer:

Before use, turn the container upside down for about 1 to 2 hours since all the “good materials” that may have sunk to the bottom get well incorporated again to the top and is well dispersed.

DO NOT SHAKE since this will cause bubbles to form in the varnish which you do not want to happen! It is best to gently mix the Lacquer by rolling the containers around in your hands or pouring the contents into a bucket to stir.

Apply the Lacquer with a high quality sponge/foam roller and using a sponge brush to cut in at the edges.

Apply two THIN coats for areas of high traffic such as a hallway, stairs, or sitting room but only one for a bedroom for instance. Again- it is best to apply two thin coats rather than one thicker one. You never get a head taking shortcuts!

An average coating needs to dry 1- 2 hours before another coat can be applied. Leave it overnight to “cure” before walking on it. Wash brushes/sponge rollers thoroughly in water.

Note that Annie Lacquer is NEVER applied over waxes! However, you can apply Annie Sloan’s soft waxes over the Lacquer.

HOW DO I CLEAN MY FLOOR THAT HAS ANNIE’S LACQUER ON IT?:

We recommend a product called Fabuloso. You mix it water and you do not let it pool on the Lacquer. WalMart and other “fine” stores retail this cleaning product. It is also great to pour down a drain or even in your toilet bowl- and leave it for an hour. It will make your room smell like you cleaned it for hours.

Note that Annie Lacquer is NEVER applied over waxes! However, you can apply Annie Sloan’s soft waxes over the Lacquer. However, do NOT use wax on a stairs. It will become “buffed” due to use and make the surface too slippery.

Cindy purchased her stencil used on the linoleum through Cutting Edge Stencils Check them out here => http://www.cuttingedgestencils.com/

Here is another awesome example of painting floors…or in this case, a set of stairs. And I really love how Karen’s stairs turned out!

With a Southwestern theme going on in her home- she not only rejuvenated an old set of stairs, but added a “wow” factor too! Using Chalk Paint® decorative paint by Annie Sloan made it easy! First she painted her steps in Primer Red, then did a wash of Emperor’s Silk, added detailing, then applied 2 coats of Annie’s Lacquer.

This is another great floor project completed by Wood Junkies. Amber Brady McKee did a custom mix to create her pink. She used Emperor’s Silk, Barcelona Orange and Old White. Then she made a custom gray color using Graphite, Paris Grey and Pure White.

Carrie DiLallo:

Carrie wrote us that the project of painting her slate floor below “was actually very easy. Thoroughly cleaned a couple times and made sure to vacuum a couple times as well to make sure there were no pet hairs or debris. Used an artist brush on the grout with French Linen, painted the slate with Graphite. Let dry and sealed with two coats of Lacquer.”

Sherry Adelmann

In 2013, Sherry painted her floor with Duck Egg and Pure White for the top design using a stencil. She wrote us, “It’s held up for 3 years! I love it!”

Beth Norton

We love Beth’s floor cloth for her Messy Molly, that she painted in English Yellow and Graphite and everything else!

Sabrina Jean

Below, Sabrina painted three coats of Paris Gray Chalk Paint® as the base then did a dry bush of Pure White and Paris Grey mix over the top

Rhoda Vaughn did an amazing job with this faux carpet on her wood floors!

Linda Groom:

She painted the stairs below in her 1890 farmhouse with Coco and Pure White Chalk Paint® and then finished with Annie Sloan Lacquer. It only took me a weekend – very easy and pleased with the results.

The Purple Painted Lady sells all of Annie’s product on line! I really hope you give us the opportunity to do business with you!

I ship out every week day all over the US. I included a link below to my on-line shop below. We offer the lowest flat rate UPS shipping cost so if you are one town away or 10 states away- the shipping cost is the same. Also- it is my paint sales that keep me in business and allow me to be here to help you. (my shameless, but honest plug) wink-wink! Click HERE to link to Our On-Line Store => http://shop.thepurplepaintedlady.com/

: ) And I will be here to help you as you progress through your future project! And if I do say so myself- we offer the BEST customer service that you will ever experience!

Here is a little post about what I mean when it comes to what you should expect from us: http://www.thepurplepaintedlady.com/2014/02/why-buy-chalk-paint-from-us/

Lastly- If I was helpful to you- please consider leaving a comment on my business page sharing your experience or thoughts about The Purple Painted Lady. Here is a link to my Facebook page=> http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Purple-Painted-Lady/291882785710 This helps me too!

Thanks so much!
Trish

—

Tricia Migliore Kuntz ~The Purple Painted Lady ~
Design/Consulting, Kitchen Cabinet Refurbishing, Custom Painted Furniture, Chalk Paint® & MMS Milk Paint Retailer & herRochester Blogger

PHONE: 585-750-6056

Come visit us:

At our MAIN STORE at 77 West Main Street in Macedon, NY 14502 OR

3200 West Ridge Road in Rochester, NY 14626 (The Shops On West Ridge) OR

Our Syracuse, NY location at 1 West Genesee Street, Baldwinsville NY 13207

Please LIKE me on Facebook! Chick HERE for a quick link. http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Purple-Painted-Lady/291882785710
Check out our website and online store! http://www.thepurplepaintedlady.com/
(How did I get that business name you ask?……I started the business in my 1885 purple painted Victorian – and I LOVE to paint – so the business name just fits perfectly!)

The Purple Painted Lady 5th Annual Barn Sale Junk Jubilee- September 26, 2015 from 10 – 5pm

Posted on 03/02/2014 by Tricia

Hope you will save the date for us! We are hosting our 5th annual Barn Sale Junk Jubilee on Saturday, September 26th, 2015 from 10 – 5pm.

LOCATION: The home of The Purple Painted Lady

845 Yellow Mills Road, Palmyra NY 14522

Because this is our home- this is a non-smoking event.

Come and enjoy a day in the country at this great artsy event. Classic Rock Band, Chicken dinner BBQ from noon till 3pm, Farmer’s Market, Bakers, Wood Craftsmen, Furniture Painters, Handmade Clothing, Wineries, Maple Syrup, Annie Sloan Chalk Paint® Demos, Handmade Goat Milk Soap (meet the goats!), Glass Blowing, Stationary, Metal Art, Free Raffles….You Name it- We Will Have It!

Everyone is welcome to come – NO INVITE necessary- but if you RSVP on are Facebook Event Page you will be kept on announcements: Click HERE to visit the EVENT Page

The Show Goes On…… RAIN OR SHINE!

This event besides being fantastic- is a benefit! The Palmyra-Macedon Rotary, the volunteer Fire Department from South Macedon and the Boy Scouts, Venturing Crew 313 will be just some of the organizations that receive 100% of the money raised.

As for the RAFFLE …..every artist has donated a piece of their work that will be given away. Local Venture Crew 313 is managing the raffle- and they will be hosting a blanket drive for the local food cupboard to provide families in need with sources of warmth and comfort for the upcoming winter. Bring a gently used blanket to the barn sale to donate and get a FREE raffle ticket!! You name it – we will have it!

PRINT THIS FREE RAFFLE TICKET AND BRING WITH YOU …one per customer! (and NOT necessary to enter!)

The Barn Sale & Junk Jubilee will be held on Saturday, September 26th from 10 to 5pm at our home in Macedon on 20 acres with 10 acres dedicated to off road parking. (NO Parking permitted on the street due to safety.)

What’s up with a PARKING FEE?:

We have doubled the parking lot and guarantee solid ground to drive on! Look for the great volunteers from the Palmyra Macedon Rotary who will be directing traffic. (see map below with directions- we are EASY to find!!!) Again- this is a benefit and the parking is $5. 100% OF THAT MONEY goes right back into helping the community, but feel free to drive a bus here and maximize that $5 fee. The Rotary has over 20 volunteers who work ALL day to earn this money and then they turn around and re-invest that in it.

WHY IS THERE $1 ENTRANCE FEE:

There is a $1 entrance fee to the Barn Sale Junk Jubilee, and again 100% OF THAT MONEY will go the charitable organization which is the volunteer Fire Department from South Macedon.

All 80 vendors will be donating a creation worth $30- and raffles will be held every hour on the hour this year! We will be sharing a FREE printable Raffle Ticket here and on our Facebook page as we get closer to the event.

The Purple Painted Lady will be giving away a quart of Chalk Paint® decorative paint by Annie Sloan and a tin of wax and Miss Mustard Seed’s Milk Paint (alternating) every hour too!~ Look for the “Raffle Booth” which will be located near the entrance to the sale this year! We have the Boy Scouts, Venturing Crew 313 managing the raffle- and all sales from raffle tickets will go directly to their troop.

We will have a chicken dinner barbeque, wineries, a micro-brewery, farmer’s market and an incredible selection of artists joining us to make this day amazing for you!

LOCATION:

Again – this event is happening at my home on Saturday, September 26th from 10 to 5 at my HOME – located at 845 Yellow Mills Road, Palmyra NY 14522. See map above.

Just a reminder that everyone get’s ONE FREE raffle ticket and since EVERY artist has donated something – you can inexpensively buy more raffle tickets there too!

WANT TO BE A VENDOR?

We have only about 20 spaces left for our 4th Annual The Purple Painted Lady Barn Sale Junk Jubilee happening on Saturday, September 26th, 2014 from 10 – 5pm. (Set up is the day prior) Our business Facebook page recently hit over 15,000 followers. This event will be advertised in the messenger post papers, 585 magazine, Rochester Woman magazine and all of the news channels and D&C. We are looking for unique artists (no catalog/distribution businesses and we are closed out for jewelry artists.) If you are interested- there is a $40 vendor fee and you receive a 10 X 10 outdoor space. You supply your own tent/tables/and whatever else you need. Think “Fairport Canal Days.” We average over 4000 people in a 7 hour period. Please contact Trish at takuntz@rochester.rr.com. Title your email “I want to be a 2014 Barn Sale Vendor”…and in the body of the email, include:

* Your full name, address, and phone
* Business name (if you have one)
* Description of what you make and plan to sell
* A photo or two of your items
* Do you have a Business Facebook page or website? Please provide that.

Thanks so much!
Trish

Why Buy Chalk Paint® From The Purple Painted Lady?

Posted on 02/17/2014 by Tricia

Click HERE to access our on-line store to buy Chalk Paint® decorative paint by Annie Sloan, Miss Mustard Seed Milk Paint or Artisan Enhancements products.

If you are considering ordering any of the above products on-line- here are 6 attributes that set The Purple Painted Lady apart from other options.

1. Our Level of Customer Service:
If you are a customer of ours…..when it comes to customer service- The Purple Painted Lady will go above and beyond.
That means if you have a question in the middle of your project, something is not turning out the way you expected it to or are looking for some advice on how to approach your project- all you need to do is call me! Yep, that’s right! By purchasing from The Purple Painted Lady- you get a “Chalk Paint® Concierge” if you will! Or- if you are using any other product that we sell- do not hesitate to contact me for help.

Just type my digits into your phone- and voila- you get a real person to talk to. (And yes- it will probably be me, Trish ~ The Purple Painted Lady!) 585.750.6056 My phone number is also noted on every piece of paper that accompanies your package to make it easy for you to find my contact information. (did you ever order something from a place and then you get it- and there is no contact information included on anything? That so annoys me. Thus why my phone number is on everything!)

And- since it seems many of our customers have “9-5 jobs” and are evening or weekend warriors- the probability of you having a problem after most shops are closed for the day can be pretty high. Since you cannot tell your wet paint to “hold on” and wait till the following day to dry till you can speak to someone – having a source that offers customer service that is almost 24X7 can be pretty helpful. (I do ask however, that if it is after 10pm Eastern Time, please email or text me) But by placing your order through me- The Purple Painted Lady, all you need to do is give me a call and mention your order number (and yes- I do check my ordering system) At that point- I am all yours! 585.750.6056

2. The Purple Painted Lady sells Chalk Paint® and all other Annie Sloan products at the lowest price we can legally sell them for based on our contract:
What does this mean to you? It means you should feel assured that you got the best deal possible when purchasing from The Purple Painted Lady.

3. The Purple Painted Lady Always Has EVERYTHING In Stock:
In one of my past lives- I was a software consultant for a Supply Chain company. What does “Supply Chain” mean? Basically, it means the management of goods through the whole cycle from distributor to you, the end customer. You want this flow to move without stops or bottlenecks or more importantly, delays! My focus in this past life was to help Fortune 500 companies (like Cisco, Subaru, Dell Computers, HP, Canadian Department of Defense to name a few) strategically forecast so they always had the right part in stock. I took this experience and apply it to how I run my business and manage inventory. But what does this mean to you? (see Item 3 Below)

4. SAME DAY Shipping:
If you place an order- be confident in knowing that The Purple Painted Lady has everything in stock! What does this mean in the end? With the team we have in place- your order ships the same day as you placed it. (note however, this is as long as your order came in before UPS picked up our packages)

5. Awesome Instructions Are Included With Your Products:
Have you ever ordered product from a business and are all excited to receive it, then your package arrives and all that is in it is a quart of paint. You ask yourself, “what do i do now?” Well, when purchasing through The Purple Painted Lady every package goes out with 2 page instructions on the products you just bought. Why do we do this? Because the money you spend on your order- you worked hard for. We want you to get every single ounce of fabulous functionality out of the products we ship to you. We also want you to use the product correctly the FIRST time you try them!

6. We Offer The Lowest Flat Rate Shipping!:
Our low, flat rate shipping costs are strategically based on the amount of money you spend- NOT the weight or the distance between you and I. That means if you are 2 towns away or 15 states away- the shipping is the same. And just an FYI- the UPS cost you pay- is LESS because of our discounted rate from UPS based on the volume we do. We pass our savings on to you. I guarantee our shipping is the most competitive (and account for how much you are paying for product too!) (See chart below)

We are all committed to servicing you. Orders come through, but we all work hard and know that you do too. We do not take it lightly that you chose us to do business with. In fact, we are honored that you did so.

So, we hope you consider all of the above when choosing a website …a business to order your product through.

Thanks again,
Trish

The Purple Painted Lady

Do Your Kitchen Cabinets Look Tired?

Posted on 01/27/2014 by Tricia

Do your cabinets look tired?
OR, are you tired of your cabinets?

The easy, affordable and beautiful solution is to paint them using Chalk Paint decorative paint by Annie Sloan…the “No Stripping, No Sanding, No Priming” “World’s Best Paint!”

If interested in painting your cabinets but are afraid to- please don’t be. All of us at The Purple Painted Lady are here to help you through your project.

Check out the amazing transformation that my customer Marian Harrison completed in her kitchen. Between the two Before & After photos, nothing changed, other than the cabinets were painted and waxed.

And that old bathroom vanity? Freshen it up!

Amazing transformation, yes? I think so!

Many customers want to paint their kitchens but have questions, such as:

* What prep is there when painting a kitchen?

ANSWER: Before painting, it is necessary to clean your cabinets. When you cook, fry, broil or boil whatever you are making, even with a fan- steam goes into the air. It eventually settles on your cabinets. If you have children or a dog, who knows what else might be stuck to them. Get some Krud Kutter or Odorless Mineral Spirits and wipe down the cabinets using a rag or even a ScotchBrite Scrubbie. Note that the image of the Mineral Spirits shows different packaging that is available. The key thing here is to purchase the regular Odorless Mineral Spirits. NOT the environmentally green Mineral Spirits which is shown in the white packaging in the right of the photo.

* Will the Chalk Paint adhere to the sides of my cabinets, they are made of a laminate material? Can I paint my Laminated (faux wood) plasticie (is that even a word?) end caps?

YES- you can paint the laminate end cap. But you will want to lightly sand in the same direction you will apply your paint with a 180, 200 or 220 grit sanding block or paper. ALWAYS sand in the same direction as the wood grain. (even if it is a faux wood grain.)

Then, clean the surface per the insructions we provide.

Thin your paint with a little water and paint a uniform, thin coat- making sure to “lay” your paint from top to bottom at the very end of every stroke- so you get rid of any small segmented brushstrokes. Then….WAIT 24 hours till you apply coat number two. Don’t try to scratch the paint with your thumbnail during this period…because you will be succussful.

There is a lot of chemistry in paint and you need to allow that chemistry to do it’s thing! Once all done painting, apply the wax top coat per the instructions and voila…..you will be amazed!

* I have old cabinets and the protective top coat is worn, especially around the hardware. Is there anything I should do?
ANSWER: YES! You will most likely need to apply shellac to your doors. Shellac is a “sealer.” that means it seals in the surface – preventing stain or wood tannins from bleeding through to the paint.

We prefer the clear Zinsser shellac. Again, note that shellac is a sealer so it will seal the surface preventing stain or wood tannins from bleeding through your new paint. I recommend getting the quart of shellac and using a rag, wipe down all the doors and the cabinet frame just like you would wipe down your kitchen table when you clean it. You want the rag moist but not dripping. I cover the whole cabinet in a linear fashion, making sure to NOT miss any spot and to catch the edges also!

Spraying the shellac using an aerosol can is also an option. I have done this many times. On a small job this is good, but remember to spray 2 coats. Aerosol cans of shellac will cost more than buying the quart, so for large jobs- I recommend the quart.

Zinsser shellac comes in quarts and aerosol containers. If you have a well ventilated space and take your doors down- you can use the spray, but I feel the quart and a rag will give you better coverage. I usually will do 2 coats.

If you already started painting and did not shellac prior, and then realize that you are getting bleeding- you can still apply the shellac. Just allow the paint to dry thoroughly and then apply the shellac.

* Do I have to take the doors off to paint using Chalk Paint?

ANSWER: NO…you can leave the doors hinged and on the cabinets when painting. Many do this! However, when I am painting a kitchen- I typically take the doors off and will number them. I then lay them down flat and process them a bit like a production line. If you choose to paint them while they are hanging and plan on painting the hinges, just lightly dry brush the hinges so they are not “caked” with paint.

* How do I calculate how much paint I need?

ANSWER: I will take a piece of paper and make a drawing of the kitchen layout. Literally drawing out the each section of cabinets. I then note the height, width and depth of the cabinets. You need these measurements in order to determine the square footage.

Calculating the square footage is very easy. For each section, multiply the height times the width. The result is your square footage for that section.

Once you have this initial number- understand that this would be for only one coat of paint. A typical kitchen project will take 2 coats. Sometimes, even 3 coats of paint depending on the color you select and the color of your cabinets.

Because you will probably need 2 coats of paint- you will need to double your square footage in the end. Also- don’t forget to paint the underside of your top cabinets. This is the part that is directly over your counter top. And- are you planning on painting the inside of the door? If yes, (and most do) account for that in your total.

A quart of Chalk Paint® will roughly cover about 150 square feet. So take your total amount of square footage and divide by 150. The number from this calculation will be how many quarts of paint you need. And always error on the side of an additional quart so you have enough for your project.

* I want durability- will this paint work?

ANSWER: Yes! Chalk Paint® is extremely durable and when you finish the paint with the wax- it becomes even harder. Something I suggest to my “kitchen Cabinet” painting customers is to apply a uniform – thin even coat of paint and then wait 24 hours before painting the second coat. There is a lot of science that goes into paint products in general. In the first 24 hours- the paint will really bear down and tighten its grip to the surface. I was once told to think of the paint molecules as floating around with space between them, then as it dries over that first 24 hours- the space between them gets smaller and the paint gets tighter against the surface. Allow science to do its thing and for the first coat of paint to have 24 hours.

* What is the process when it comes to painting cabinets using Chalk Paint®?

ANSWER: If you are looking for texture, use the Chalk Paint® directly from the quart in the consistency it is made in. However, if you are looking for a more traditional smooth finish, consider applying your first coat directly from the quart. Once the first coat is dry, pour some of your Chalk Paint® into another container and add some water to thin it. I would say add about 10 to 15% water in comparison to your paint. Use a cheap measuring cup so you can easily reproduce this thinned mixture. Apply your second coat of pant with this thinned Chalk Paint®. This will allow to get a smoother finish and it will even stretch your paint a bit.

* Can I paint the cabinets outside in my garage?

ANSWER: Maybe! You should only paint pieces, cabinets or any furniture for that matter if it is at room temperature consistently. The same goes for all of your paint products. Never let them freeze or sit in a 100 degree garage. Temperature will effect your products. This recommendation applies to even while they are drying, curing and the time in between!

A space heater is not adequate and definitely not sufficient if only being used while you are in the workspace.

The best thing to do – is set up a painting area in the house where you know the temperatures will be within normal range consistently and that there will not be any excessive dust.

* Should I paint the inside of the cabinets?

The answer to that is really totally up to you. I always paint the back of the door, but not always do we paint inside the cabinet box. It will add more time and cost to the project and many people are fine with leaving them as is…so consider what is best for you. Consider though when it comes to the resale of your home- having the inside of your cabinets finished nicely is a plus!

* What type of brush should I use?

We recommend using a natural bristle brush. Annie Sloan has amazing brushes available-but I still like to use a 1.5 inch Purdy brush that has an angled brush. These are very nice if you are “cutting” an edge.

* How many coats of wax do you recommend?

I always apply two coats of wax on cabinets that I am doing. Three if I need to add a dark wax glaze.

Here is some additional high level information / steps to reference if planning on doing your kitchen.

Lastly- please consider using The Purple Painted Lady if needing to purchase your chalk paint on-line.

Thanks,
Trish